“I understand,” he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I wouldn’t want harm to come to you. I don’t like the idea that you had to hide it, nor do I like that you had to have it. I can’t deny that I like the idea you aremine.”
I remained quiet after that, not sure how to respond. I knew he thought of me as such, like a piece of property, yet his words made my core clench. Ilikedbeing claimed by him. He was the only man that could stake his claim and I wouldn’t want to fight it. After so much time to think about what I wanted, I finally knew. I wanted to be his.
“There’s a bathroom across the hall. How about you get cleaned up, then I’ll tell your parents you will be staying with me from now on,” he said, stepping back and helping me down off the desk.
“What about my things?” I asked, not that there really was anything I wanted from the house. I met his eyes, feeling like I could have a say in my life somewhat.
“I’ll send someone to get them,” he said, giving me a knowing look.
“Mom said she had information in the basement,” I quickly explained, not able to tear myself away from his company just yet. “About my real parents. I have to have them, Zachariah.”
“I will make sure you get them,” he said, telling me the truth.
He then led me out of office, pointing towards the bathroom. It was just like the rest of the house that I had seen so far. Light colored walls, white sink in the dark countertop, and a small standing shower against the wall in the back corner. It was smaller than I would have expected but workable for a downstairs bathroom. I found a cream-colored wash rag on the side of the sink, waiting to be used. I wet it with lukewarm water before washing off my face. Zachariah already saw the marks on my arms, so what was the point in hiding the ones on my face?
After laying the wash rag across the faucet to dry, I patted my face dry with the hand towel and opened the door. I came face to face with a shocked Zachariah staring at the bruise that covered a good portion of the left side of my face.
“Avidya,” he spoke in shock before gently cupping my face with both of his hands. His brown eyes looked between both of mine with a look of contained rage. I couldn’t help but flinch back from his look.
“I won’t hurt you,” he sighed, dropping his hands. I instantly felt the loss of his warm touch. “Where else are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” I mumbled out, taking a step around him. I didn’t get far as his arm shot out, stopping me. Of course, his arm pressed against my ribs, causing me to flinch.
“Answer me,” he demanded, voice hard and non-breakable.
“Not here, please?” I asked, my shoulders slumping as I looked up at him. I was positive that he’d be upset about more marks on my skin, and I feared how he’d react to seeing them, let alone knowing about them. Somehow, I’m sure he wouldn’t stop from killing my father if he saw them.
“Fine,” he nearly spat out, not happily. “Iwillsee where else you are marked by that beast.”
“Sure,” I responded, trying to figure out if I feared him, or was slightly awed that he could be so demanding, so . . .him.
He smirked, obviously seeing right through me.
“Come,” he said, much calmer. He was going to give me whiplash by changing his moods so dang fast. He then took a hold of my hand, before leading me back to the dining room. Before we could see into the room, I could hear raised voices, and couldn’t help but flinch as my father’s voice reached my ears.
“How dare you tell me how to handle my life!” father shouted in rage.
“I didn’t tell you,” Carlos spoke, his voice deadly calm. “I’m advising.”
Zachariah didn’t pause like I certainly would have. He pulled me along, being gentle in doing so, entering into view both of our parents.
“We are leaving, Avidya,” father spoke up as he saw me, glaring at me in the process.
“That’s up to her,” Carlos spoke, shooting his own son a look that told him to stay quiet.
“Avidya, now,” father spoke, taking a few steps towards me.
I glanced over at mom, seeing the look of pure fear on her face. She shook her head ‘no’ at me, telling me in her own way that father would cause me more pain than I was already in.
“You have nowhere else to go,” father huffed out, getting impatient.
“I do,” I said, tilting my head to my side. “Zachariah offered to let me stay with him.”
“You will not be staying with that man,” father raged, pointing a finger his way. His face began to red from anger.
“You are just mad that my husband pulled a gun on you,” Julia said, half amused. “Avidya is even welcome to stay here. There is plenty of room.”
“No, she will be going home with me. Her behavior has been inexcusable,” father seethed, daring to take the last few steps towards me. I stepped back as Zachariah stopped father’s hand from touching me. I watched as Zachariah’s hand made a fist around father’s wrists tightly.
